More than 200 attend Pool Health, Safety Fair

April 17, 2013

More than 200 people attended the 3rd Annual Pine Island Pool Heath and Safety Fair Saturday morning and afternoon, deeming it a success.

Pine Island Pool Aquatic Supervisor Sandy Reynolds said the event is held every year to kick off water safety, since the kids are spending more time outdoors now that it is warm. She said due to Pine Island being surrounded by canals, the Gulf of Mexico and swimming pools, kids need to know how to swim.

There are two things she shared with the community during the event, supervision and teaching the kids how to swim.

Article Photos

MEGHAN McCOY

Youngsters enjoyed a day at the pool upon the new diving board Saturday afternoon.

Reynolds said she signed up 15 youngsters for the summer swimming program during the event. A few kids were also enrolled in the scholarship program that pays for the swimming lessons.

Their motto, "every child a swimmer," is accomplished through the help of local organizations like the Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund and the Matlacha Mariners. Reynolds said scholarships are provided to the families who are in need of assistance to pay for swimming lessons for their non-swimmer son or daughter.

"We had a great day," she said of the event.

The swimming lessons kick off on June 1 and carry on through October. Lessons for youngsters from 3 years old to 12 years old runs Monday through Saturday at various times throughout the day. Individuals can sign up for the classes on www.leeparks.org.

In addition, Reynolds said the lifeguard crew also held swimming lessons with the children, as well as teaching them water safety during the event Saturday.

The Pine Island Library had books about water safety available at the event, the fire department provided blood pressure checks and shared fire safety tips and Khol's provided brochures for water safety. Appointments were also made for the Radiology Regional Mammo Coach for those interested.

Many of the youngsters also enjoyed the brand new diving board, which was installed on March 11. The Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund, Elks Lodge, Matlacha Mariners, a private donation and donations from the community made it possible to install the board.

Reynolds said this summer they are going to host various Family Fun Nights on Friday. The first one, which is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, will be held on June 7 from 6-8:30 p.m. The event will include free food.

So far, she said they have four nights scheduled throughout the summer, which is being sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund and the Pine Island Pool. Any other organizations interested in sponsoring a Family Fun Night are encouraged to call the pool at 283-2220.